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Located in a portion of Canada's province, New Brunswick, is the Miramichi Destination. The region connects to the country's border with the United States, specifically the state of Maine. Cities encompassed by the destination include its namesake, Miramichi, as well as Boiestown, Chipman, Red Bank, and Rogersville, all of which are located inland. Bathurst, Neguac, Boutouche, and Beresford are cities that are located along the coast. As of 2021, Miramichi has a population of 17,107 people, which reflects an annual decline rate of -0.31%.[2] Attractions in the region include Ritchie Wharf Park, Miramichi River, French Fort Cove, St. Michael's Basilica, Beaverbrook House, Middle Island Irish Historical Park, and the Miramichi Natural History Museum, among others.[4] According to the tourism score produced by Weather Spark, "the best time of year to visit Miramichi for warm-weather activities is from late June to early September." Temperatures typically vary anywhere from 5°F to 77°F on average, depending on the time of year.[7] Due to the location of the Miramichi River, there is "a large population of land mammals and waterfowl," namely moose, American black bear, white-tailed deer, and ducks. Each year in the fall, the hunting of deer and moose is permitted. The river is also known for Atlantic Salmon fly-fishing, where fishermen may catch salmon, shad, smelt, or gaspereau.[8]
Miramichi, the namesake of the Miramichi Destination, is the largest city in northern New Brunswick, Canada, and it is positioned at the mouth of the Miramichi River as it converges with Miramichi Bay. The area is located in the expanse of the Miramichi Valley, second only to the Saint John River Valley in length within New Brunswick. Miramichi expanded by the annexation of portions of two local service districts on its northern frontier as of January 1, 2023.[1]
As of 2024, Miramichi, with an estimated population of 17,107 people, demonstrates a slight decline from previous census figures. In 2016, the Canadian Census reported a population of 17,537 residents, marking a decrease from the 2011 count of 17,811. This trend reflects a reduction of 274 individuals over the specified period, equating to an annual decline rate of -0.31%.[2]
Miramichi offers attractions that showcase its history and natural surroundings. Middle Island, situated at the city's eastern edge, invites visitors to learn about its past at the Interpretive Centre, where tales of immigrant struggles and resilience are shared. There, visitors are able to walk along the trails adorned with interpretive panels and a Celtic Cross commemorating those who perished. Nearby, there is also Beaubears Island Shipbuilding & Boishébert National Historic Sites of Canada, offering voyageur canoe tours and historic presentations. French Fort Cove is a multi-season park where hiking trails lead to views of the land. Ritchie Wharf features playgrounds, splash pads, and boardwalk shops, while Miramichi River Boat Tours offers a journey along the river narrated by relatively knowledgeable guides.[3] A few more attractions found in the destination include St. Michael’s Basilica, Beaverbrook House, and Miramichi Natural History Museum.[4]
In northern New Brunswick lies Bathurst, another city in the Miramichi Destination, which overlooks the Nepisiguit Bay, a segment of Chaleur Bay, and the Nepisiguit River. As of 2021, the city has a population of 12,157 people and encompasses a metropolitan area ranking as the fourth largest in New Brunswick. Recent annexations on January 1, 2023, expanded the city's territory, integrating parts of several local service districts. Attractions in this part of the region include La Promenade Waterfront, where an amalgamation of shops, boutiques, and outdoor spaces can be found, while Youghall Beach Park offers recreational amenities, including swimming and windsurfing, adjacent to the Bathurst Marina. Golf enthusiasts can engage in the city's courses, while cultural aficionados can join in the annual Bathurst Hospitality Days and the Bathurst Chamber Music Festival.[5]
The Miramichi River, situated in the east-central region of New Brunswick, Canada, serves as an artery draining into Miramichi Bay within the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Spanning approximately 250 kilometers and encompassing 2 branches—the Southwest Miramichi River and the Northwest Miramichi River—alongside their respective tributaries, the river watershed covers a fairly vast territory. It accounts for a quarter of New Brunswick's expanse, totaling around 13,000 square kilometers. The water network of bends and rapids, adorned with names reflecting its significance to fishermen, canoeists, and lumbermen, weaves through relatively diverse landscapes, from Push and Be Damned Rapids to the Turnip Patch. Notably, tides penetrate inland, reaching as far as Sunny Corner and Renous-Quarryville, about 70 kilometers from the gulf. At the confluence in Newcastle, the river merges into a navigable route for ocean vessels. The estuarine section downstream, extending from Newcastle into the city of Miramichi, forms a generally dynamic ecosystem influenced by freshwater inflows, saltwater intrusion, and seasonal variations, fostering biodiversity despite its smaller size.[6]
The flora and fauna in Miramichi are influenced by the city's location near various eastern hardwoods within the Acadian Forest Region. The valley's forests are made of coniferous trees such as balsam fir, black spruce, and red spruce, alongside broad-leaved deciduous trees, including yellow birch, sugar maple, and American beech. Land ownership patterns reflect historical settlement, with private woodlots interspersed with Crown land managed by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, primarily supporting the pulp and paper industry. Agriculture is limited, as dairy farming and the cultivation of blueberries and cranberries are fairly common. The valley also witnesses an annual harvest of wild "fiddleheads," the curled heads of ostrich ferns, while the Miramichi River supports the Atlantic Salmon fishery and sustains diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, and black bears.[8]
Miramichi's climate exhibits seasonal variations, with moderate summers, while winters are often "freezing and snowy," with partly cloudy skies persisting year-round. The warm season spans from June to mid-September and is characterized by average daily high temperatures exceeding 67°F, peaking in July with highs typically reaching 77°F. Conversely, the cold season extends from early December to mid-March, averaging daily highs below 34°F. January is reportedly the coldest month, as it experiences average lows of 6°F and highs of 24°F.[7]
The history of Miramichi is connected with indigenous Mi'kmaq communities and early European settlements. Prior to European arrival, the Mi'kmaq inhabited the region, with Beaubears Island serving as a significant meeting place. The area became part of the French colony of Acadia, with Fort Fronsac established by Nicolas Denys around 1648. The Denys family played a role in the region's early development, with Richard Denys overseeing a fort and trading post on the Miramichi in the late 17th century. French villages grew along Miramichi Bay, but the French and Indian War brought significant upheaval, leading to the destruction of Acadian homes and the deportation of residents by the British. Scottish and Loyalist immigration reshaped the demographics in the late 18th century, while the 19th century saw Irish immigrants seeking better lives. The region's economy evolved from shipbuilding and lumber exports to pulp and paper production, with notable events such as the Great Miramichi Fire of 1825 and the closure of CFB Chatham marking significant shifts in the local economy. Rivalry between Newcastle and Chatham persisted through the centuries, culminating in their amalgamation in 1995 to form the City of Miramichi.[1]
Bathurst's history dates back to its original French settlement in 1619, initially named Nepisiguit and later St. Peters. Following the displacement of the French by the British in 1755, the community underwent a renaming in the 1820s to honor the 3rd Earl Bathurst, then secretary for war and the colonies. Over the centuries, Bathurst's economy has survived on lumbering and fishing. Since 1953, the mining of local base-metal ore deposits has also contributed to Bathurst's economic landscape. Notably, the Sacred Heart Church transitioned into a cathedral in 1942 following the transfer of the episcopal see from Chatham.[9]
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